Gone Medieval The Green Man
Jun 24, 2025
Imogen Corrigan, author of 'The Green Man, Myth and Reality', is a specialist in medieval churches and iconography. In this discussion, she and Dr. Eleanor Janega explore the captivating significance of the Green Man in medieval art, unraveling its complex blend of pagan and Christian symbolism. They delve into how historical events like the Black Death influenced this iconography and highlight the unique craftsmanship behind Green Man carvings in churches. The conversation reveals the deeper spiritual messages intertwined in this rich medieval tradition.
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Green Man's Christian Symbolism
- The Green Man figure is not simply pagan but adapted into Christian symbolism of eternal life and resurrection.
- The foliage in these carvings almost always represents living growth and spiritual rebirth, especially post-Black Death.
'Green Man' Name Is Modern
- The term 'Green Man' was coined only in 1939, affecting popular interpretation.
- Prior to that, the carvings were not associated with modern folkloric green men or pagan rites.
Imogen's Green Man Obsession
- Imogen Corrigan began her interest studying church monsters, narrowing focus to the Green Man to avoid excess complexity.
- She has visited over a thousand churches and maintains a database of Green Men throughout England with passion.